Sigma Delta Pi

Spanish

Admitted to ACHS: 1966

Founded at the University of California, Berkeley, November 14, 1919

No of Active Chapters: 385

Total Membership: 170389

Number of Regions: 5

Publications: Entre Nosotros

PURPOSE: To honor those who attain excellence in the study of the Spanish language and in the study of the literature and culture of the Spanish-speaking peoples; to honor those who have made Hispanic contributions to modern culture better known in the English-speaking world; to encourage college and university students to acquire a greater interest in, and a deeper understanding of, Hispanic culture; and to foster friendly relations and mutual respect between the nations of Hispanic speech and those of English speech.

ELIGIBILITY: Student membership, undergraduate and graduate, is based on scholastic attainment, character, and a genuine interest in things Hispanic. Honorary membership is granted non-students under conditions specified in the By-Laws, and membership in the Orders of Don Quixote and Los Descubridores recognizes exceptional and meritorious service in the fields of Hispanic scholarship, the teaching of Spanish, and the promotion of friendly relations between English-speaking countries and those of Hispanic speech. Undergraduate candidates must have completed eighteen semester credit hours of college-level Spanish or the equivalent thereof, have at least three semester hours of a course in Hispanic literature or Hispanic culture and civilization, have completed at least three semesters or five quarters of college work, have a minimal grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale in all Spanish courses, and rank in the upper 35% of the class.

MAJOR ACTIVITIES: The Society's undergraduate study abroad awards program supports study abroad in Spanish-speaking countries for its student members. The total number of awards varies from year to year. The scholarship program is supported by Estudio Internacional Sampere (Ecuador and Spain) and the Instituto B. Franklin of the University of Alcalá de Henares (Spain).

The annual graduate research grant program supports eligible graduate student members for travel abroad to Spain or Spanish America for the sole purpose of research related to Hispanic Studies.

The chapter project grant program supports chapter projects that complement the mission of Sigma Delta Pi during the academic year. The program is intended to spur chapter activity and thereby help raise the chapter's visibility in its college/university community.